Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
Pronunciation: pen-i-SEE-tum se-TAY-see-um RU-brum
SKU #06427
| Description | A popular drought tolerant grass that forms a tidy, dense clump of purplish maroon blades topped with rose-red plumes. Beautiful as a landscape specimen or planted in groups. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. An herbaceous perennial grass in mild winter regions; provides quick annual color in any climate. |
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| Light | Full sun |
| Watering | Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry. |
| Blooms | Summer through fall |
| Mature Size | Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide. |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Herbaceous |
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| Special Features | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Drought Tolerant |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Habit | Clumping |
| Landscape Use | Border, Container |
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| Design Ideas | This is without a doubt the most gorgeous Fountain Grass. Growing to four feet tall, its bronzed foliage is beautiful throughout the season, not just in autumn. It is indispensable for dry stream beds and a lovely fluffy accent in dry gardens. Provides wildlife habitat around water holes and ponds, and adds its billowy character to homegrown meadows. Makes a great erosion-control plant on slopes, both cut and fill. Equally at home in big Southwestern ceramic pots or classical Italian terra cotta on posts and walls, or ganged around entries, steps and gateways. Try three or four matched potted specimens spaced evenly on steps or line them against a bare, light colored stucco wall. |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Foliage Color | Purple |
| Companion Plants | Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia); Aster (Aster); Potentilla (Potentilla); Coneflower (Echinacea); Salvia (Salvia); Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum) |
| Care | Adaptable to most soil types. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Cut foliage back to 4 inches above the ground just before new shoots appear in late winter to early spring. |
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| Lore | While the species Pennisetum setaceum is considered invasive to California, selective plant breeding has resulted in attractive cultivated varieties that are seedless or do not produce viable seed, including Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', 'Fireworks' and 'Skyrocket'. These three cultivars are non-invasive and safe for California gardening efforts. |
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This Plant's Growing Zones: 8-11
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant
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About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.